Liverpool have had to fend off interest from Manchester United for Fluminense midfielder Andre, according to journalist Emmanuel Luiz.

Speaking to Redmen TV, the Brazilian reporter revealed that the Red Devils approached the 22-year-old’s entourage, only to be told that the player was committed to joining the Merseyside club instead:

“Manchester United went to Andre’s camp to talk with them about a possible negotiation… What they said was [Andre] had personal terms agreed with Liverpool. Andre said ‘I want to go to Liverpool’. Liverpool said they will talk to Fluminense after the window closes… done deal. Liverpool wants to close the deal in the first week of September.”

“Fluminense wants to sell their share of the player but they want 20% of a sell-on clause. If Liverpool waits until after [international call-up], his market value will increase.”

As Luiz explains, a move this summer is not on the cards, with the best that the Reds can hope for being a transfer in January. The main reason for that is that Fluminense don’t want to lose the player while they are still in the Copa Libertadores.

Andre does have a release clause

If Liverpool were determined enough, they could opt to pay the Brazilian international’s buyout fee, which reportedly stands at €40m (£34m).

However, it has been claimed that Jurgen Klopp’s side are not willing to pay above €30m (£26m) for Andre, so any transfer is expected to be delayed by at least six months.

Are Liverpool looking at alternative targets?

The Reds have reportedly held talks about signing both Crystal Palace’s Cheick Doucoure and Bayern Munich’s Ryan Gravenberch but a deal for either player doesn’t seem to be imminent.

Palace are thought to be demanding around £70m for Doucoure, which is well above his actual value. Gravenberch’s future still depends on whether Bayern decide to let him go.